Page 78 of Sleigh Bells and Snowstorms
“Fine, of course you are. Julian Myers is a solid possibility. I need everything we can find on him.”
“You have what I dug up already.”
“I need more.”
“More what? You’re the one on the ground. What more do you expect me to find from here?”
“I’m sending you photos. He has a painting in the dining room along with some other art pieces, including what might be an antique brooch on display. I want to know what else he has. What are his tastes? His interests? What else has he acquired?”
“I’ll look into it, but I didn’t find records of purchases at major auctions.”
“If he’s working with an art dealer, I want to know who it is.”
“I said I’ll look into it. What else did you find?”
“Security cameras. More than typical for this area. I can deal with those, so they won’t be a problem. But they paint a picture.”
“I’m not sure that tracing his art dealer, if he has one, is going to be more valuable than what you can discover there. If you think he’s our thief, you need to get in that house.”
“I know. But I think he might have recognized me.”
“What? How on earth would he know who you are?”
“No bloody idea. I certainly don’t know him.”
“So what’s your plan?”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Natalie. She’s my plan.”
“Sorry?”
“We’re going to get her in. She’ll get me access from the inside.”
“I thought you were using her for information, not as an operative.”
“I’m notusingher for anything,” I said through gritted teeth.
She paused. “You need to tell me what’s really going on. This doesn’t work if you’re withholding things from me.”
“I’m not withholding anything.”
“Why don’t I believe that?”
I took a deep breath. “I’m telling you everything you need to know.”
“Oh, Jensen,” she said, her voice laced with frustration. “I realize your dalliances are none of my concern, but in this case, I have to ask. What do you think you’re doing?”
It was a bloody good question. And one for which I didn’t have a good answer.
When I didn’t respond, she continued. “Is she the reason you didn’t go to Paris?”
“No.”
“Be honest.”
“I thought she was in danger.”
“All right.” She paused again. “And now you’re willing to put her in danger?”
